I
understand!

MARTIN. I was about to explain ...

CASE WORKER. [_Shortly._] You needn't. You can't bamboozle me. It's
most unfortunate, isn't it, that I caught him unawares? Had he
known I was coming he'd undoubtedly have dressed more correctly for
the role of a relief applicant.

KATE. Oh, how dare you?

CASE WORKER. Our instructions are to report in detail on every
application, and particularly on those that appear fraudulent.
[_Fully formidable._] Now, Mr. Brooks. Will you answer truthfully?
Have you any means of support that you have not acknowledged?

TED. No. I have not.

CASE WORKER. [_Rising, leaves report lying on table._] Then perhaps
you will explain how you got those clothes?

KATE. [_Who has had great difficulty keeping still._] I bought
those clothes for him. Now are you satisfied?

CASE WORKER. And who are you?

KATE. A friend.

CASE WORKER. So--it's _that_ kind of a deal. I wondered who you
were.

MARTIN. [_Angry._] Does that go in your report?

CASE WORKER. Yes, that will go in my report.

MARTIN. The lady's name and address, I suppose--and whether she is
married or single?

CASE WORKER. You needn't be sarcastic.

MARTIN. And if she is married, do you notify the husband?

CASE WORKER. I don't think there is any ruling on that.

[KATE, _unseen, gets hold of report and holds it behind her._]

KATE. Well, what will happen in this case?

CASE WORKER. I don't know. I shall turn in my report.

KATE. Oh no you won't. Not _this_ report! [_She tears and crumples
it._].

CASE WORKER. How dare you?

KATE. Get out!

CASE WORKER. I'll report you.

KATE. You haven't got my name and address yet.

CASE WORKER. I'll send the chief investigator here.

MARTIN. Madam, you will do nothing of the sort. Or I'll report you.

CASE WORKER. You will? To whom?

MARTIN. To a New York newspaper which would just love the story of
a noble case worker and how well she works her cases.

CASE WORKER. The impudence!

MARTIN. And your picture. I always illustrate my own stories, and I
can draw your face from memory.

CASE WORKER. [_Whining._] But I must turn in some kind of a report.

MARTIN. You lost it! And Uncle Sam forgot it. It's only one of ten
million. [_He escorts her to door._]

CASE WORKER. [_As she storms out._] I ought to report the whole lot
of you to the police.

KATE. [_As she further reduces the crumpled report to fragments and
tosses them into wastebasket._]. I don't know ho